Well system seal

ABSTRACT

A well casing is divided into several parts by a coupling and a pair of packer bodies are hung within the casing with the coupling therebetween. Water and electrical conduit pass through the packer bodies, and the bodies are sealed to the casing wall to form a central pressurizable chamber so that water within the chamber pressurizes the inside of the coupling. A lower cupshaped flexible sealing ring is provided with a generally vertical inner longitudinal wall, a generally flat horizontal base disposed at approximately 90* to the inner wall, and an outwardly tapering wall. The platform on which the sealing ring seats slants or is tapered substantially downwardly. When the chamber is unpressurized, the sealing ring takes its normal position, thus forming a tapered space between it and the platform. Under pressure, the ring distorts downwardly into engagement with the slanted platform, causing a substantial portion of its outer tapered wall to engage the casing, thus improving the seal.

United States Patent [191 Tubbs 1 1 Feb. 13,1973

[22] Filed:

[541 WELL SYSTEM SEAL [76] Inventor: Howard A. Tubbs, 406 South Elizabeth Street, Whitewater, Wis. 53190 Aug. 24, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 174,333

Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation-impart 6f SGT. No. 130,109, April 1,

UNITED STATES PATENTS 10/1964 Peterson 166/88 Kramer 166/88 Primary Examiner-James A. Leppink Attorney-Frank S. Andrus [5 7] ABSTRACT A well casing is divided into several parts by a coupling and a pair of packer bodies are hung within the casing with the coupling therebetween. Water and electrical conduit pass through the packer bodies, and the bodies are sealed to the casing. wall to form a central pressurizable chamber so that water within the chamber pressurizes the inside of the coupling. A lower cup-shaped flexible sealing ring is provided with a generally vertical inner longitudinal wall, a generally flat horizontal base disposed at approximately 90 to the inner wall, and an outwardly tapering wall. The platform on which the sealing ring seats slants or is tapered substantially downwardly. When the chamber is unpressurized, the sealing ring takes its normal position, thus forming a tapered space between it and the platform. Under pressure, the ring distorts downwardly into engagement with the slanted platform, causing a substantial portion of its outer tapered wall to engage the casing, thus improving the seal.

3 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PATENTEDFEB 13 I975 FIG 2 INVENTOR. HOWARD A. TUBBS Attorney WELLSYSTEM SEAL This application is a continuation-in-part of my copending'U.S. application SeruNo. l30,l09, Filed Apr. 1, I97] and entitled Well System with Improved Pitless Adapter Assembly."

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to an improved seal for use in 7 well systems and other suitable structures.

also an outwardly tapered outer wall, the tip portion of which engages the inner casing wall.

While the sealing function of the lowerv sealing ring has been found to be very satisfactory for most installations, occasional leaks have been noted.

SUMMARY or THE INVENTION The present invention is directedto increasing the sealing effectiveness of the lower sealing ring.

In accordance with the invention, the cup-shaped sealing ring is formed generally as shown in my aboveidentified application. That is, it is provided with a generally vertical inner longitudinal'wall, a generally flat. horizontal base disposed at approximately 90 to the inner wall, and an outwardly tapering outer wall. However, the platform on which the sealing ring seats slants or is tapered substantially downwardly. When the chamber is unpressurized, the sealing ring takes it normal position, thus forming a tapered space between it and the platform. Under pressure, the ring distorts downwardly into engagement with the slanted platform, causing a substantial portion of its outer tapered I wall to engage the casing, thus improving the seal.

I'BRIEF DESCRIPTIONOF THE DRAWING DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT As best shown in FIG. 1 of the drawing, the well system comprises a vertically disposed tubular well casing 1 which extends from above ground level downwardly into the well. A pump 2 is disposed within ring is seated on the platform and has an inner wall and and at the bottom of casing l, and is suspended from a drop pipe 3. Casing 1 extends through a water storage tank 4 and is provided at its upper end with a cap assembly 5 of any suitable well known design. A suitable electrical control conduit 6 passes downwardly through the casing for operating pump 2.

In operation of the well system, pump 2 pumps water upwardly through drop pipe 3, where it passes through the distributor portion of a pitless adapter assembly 7, and then into tank 4. Discharge from tank 4 is through a pipe 9. Air admission valves 10 and 11 may also be used.

For purposes of utilizing assembly 7, a sleeve-like casing insert 12 is telescopingly received within casing l, and is secured at its upper end to the casing, as by welds 13. The lower end of insert 12 may be removably secured to the lower portion of the casing in any of several ways, such as by a threaded coupling 14.

The wall of insert .12 is provided with one or more openings 15 for discharge of water into tank 4. Furthermore, the upper telescoped end of the insert forms a shoulder 16 from which an elongated water distributor assembly 17 hangs. Assembly 17 is constructed and disposed so that the exposed joints of coupling 14 are pressurized internally by the water supply system. For the above-mentioned purpose, distributor-assembly 17 comprises a pair of vertically spaced packer bodies l8, 19, which are adjustably joined by a tubular connector 20 of reduced diameter. Packer bodies 18 and 19 are preferably made' of suitable cast metal, and are provided with longitudinally extending cylindrical cores which are substantially identical. Other details relative to packer body construction are described in my aforementioned application.

Packer bodies 18 and 19 are provided with means for sealing the casing wall on either end of coupling 14. The upper seal is provided byan O-ring 21.

In accordance with the invention, the lower seal is provided by the combined functioning of an annular sealing ring 22 and an annular platform 23 on which the ring seats. Ring 22 is made of soft, pliable flexible molded rubber or the like having a low Durometer value, such as about 40-70. Asshown in its normal condition in FIG. 3, ring 22 is generally cup-shaped in cross section and has a generally vertically disposed inner longitudinal wall 24 which is adapted to be secured to the tubular core wall 25 of packer body 19, as by a twisted wire 26. A generally flat horizontal base 27 extends outwardly from wall 24 at approximately thereto, and merges into an upwardly extending outwardly tapered outer wall 28, the tip portion of which normally engages the inner casing wall.

Platform 23 extends outwardly from the body core toward casing 1 and the planular top surface 29 thereof slants or tapers downwardly therefrom at a substantial angle, preferably about l5. Thus, when the chamber 30 between rings 21 and 22 is unpressurized and the packer bodies l8, 19 are in position, the inner corner of ring 22 will seat on the inner corner of platform 23, as at 31, and a divergent space 32 will extend outwardly toward the casing wall.

When chamber 30 becomes pressurized through drop pipe 3 during pumping operation, base 27 and outerfwall 28, which are free to move, will be forced downwardly by the downward pressure in the cup until the planular bottom surface 33 of base 27 flushingly engages platform surface 29. Ring 22 will thus be distorted in. a manner so that base 27 expands and tapered outer wall 28 will flushingly and sealingly engage the inner casing wall substantially throughout its depth, as shown in FIG. 4.

Since ring 22 is designed to have a relatively high modulus of elasticity, and does not distort beyond its elastic limit when moving from the position of FIG. 3 to that of FIG. 4, the ring will return to its normal position when the pressure is released.

In addition, when it is desired to move assembly 7 through the casing, ring 22 will assume the form shown in FIG. 3, thus providing only small frictional contact with the casing wall. The provides a substantial advantage over a sealing ring structure which might be permanently formed as shown in FIG. 4, and wherein substantial frictional forces against the casing would have to be overcome when moving the assembly.

While the illustrated embodiment shows the device of the. invention used in connection with an incorporated tank, the device may also be used with systems wherein the tank is remote or no tank is utilized.

Various modes of carrying out the invention are contemplated as being within the scope of the following claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which is regarded as the invention.

1 claim:

1. In a well system having a vertical well casing, a pump disposed at the lower end of the casing, and a water supply drop pipe extending upwardly within the casing from said pump;

a. packer body means disposed within said casing,

b. and upper and lower sealing means disposed between said packer body means and the said casing and forming a pressurizable chamber connected to said drop pipe,

c. said chamber having an outlet for discharging water for storage or use,

(I. said lower sealing means comprising:

1. a flexible ring extending outwardly from said packer body means and having an upwardly extending outer wall'normally disposed in partial engagement with the said casing, and having a base extending between said outer wall and said .-packer body means with said base normally having a generally horizontal bottom surface,

' 2. a and annular'platform means extending outwardly from said packer body means below said flexible ring with said platform means having an upper surface which slants downwardly toward said casing to normally form with the said bot tom surface of said ring a' divergent space,

e. said pump providing means to pressurize said chamber so 'that said ring base is forced downwardly into substantially flush engagement 7 with said platform means'and so that the outer wall I of said ring is distorted substantially throughout its depth into substantially flush sealing engagement with the said casing.

"2..ln.a well system having a vertical well casing, a

pump disposed at the lower end of the casing, and a water supply drop pipe extending upwardly within the casing from said ump:

a. packer bo y means disposed within said casing and. with said packer body means having a generally tubular wall,

b. and upper and lower sealing means disposed between said packer bodymeans and the said casing and forming a pressurizable chamber connected to said drop pipe,

c. said chamber having an outlet for discharging water for storage or use,

d. said lower sealing means comprising:

l. annular platform means extending outwardly from said tubularwall and providing an upper surface which slants downwardly toward said casing,

2. and an annular sealing ring of flexible material, said ring being generally cup-shaped in section and comprising: A. an inner wall connected to said tubular wall, B. a base extendingoutwardly from said inner wall with said base normally having a generally horizontal bottom surface,

C. and an outwardly tapered outer wall extending upwardly fromsaid base and normally engaging the said casing adjacent the outer wall tip,

3. said ring being seated on said platform means,

e. said pump providing means to pressurize said chamber so that said ring base is forced downwardly into substantially flush engagement with said platform means and so that the outer wall of said ring is distorted substantially throughout its depth into substantially flush sealing engagement with the said casing.

3. In a device providing an elongated generally circular inner body disposed within a tubular member:

a. upper and lower sealing means disposed between said inner body and said tubular member to form a pressurizable chamber therebetween, the lower of said sealing means comprising:

1. a flexible ring extending outwardly from said inner body and having an upwardly extending outer wall normally disposed in partial engagement with the said tubular member, and having a base extending between said tubular member and inner body with said base having a generally horizontal bottom surface,

2. and annular platform means extending out-' wardly from said inner body below said flexible ring with said platform means having an upper surface which slants downwardly toward said tubular member to normally form with said bottom surface of said ring a divergent space,

b. and means to pressurize said chamber so that said ring base is forced downwardly into substantially flush engagement with said platform means and so that the outer wall of said ring is distorted substantially throughout its depth into substantially flush sealing engagement with said tubular member. 

1. In a well system having a vertical well casing, a pump disposed at the lower end of the casing, and a water supply drop pipe extending upwardly within the casing from said pump; a. packer body means disposed within said casing, b. and upper and lower sealing means disposed between said packer body means and the said casing and forming a pressurizable chamber connected to said drop pipe, c. said chamber having an outlet for discharging water for storage or use, d. said lower sealing means comprising:
 1. a flexible ring extending outwardly from said packer body means and having an upwardly extending outer wall normally disposed in partial engagement with the said casing, and having a base extending between said outer wall and said packer body means with said base normally having a generally horizontal bottom surface,
 2. and annular platform means extending outwardly from said packer body means below said flexible ring with said platform means having an upper surface which slants downwardly toward said casing to normally form with the said bottom surface of said ring a divergent space, e. said pump providing means to pressurize said chamber so that said ring base is forced downwardly into substantially flush engagement with said platform means and so that the outer wall of said ring is distorted substantially throughout its depth into substantially flush sealing engagement with the said casing.
 1. In a well system having a vertical well casing, a pump disposed at the lower end of the casing, and a water supply drop pipe extending upwardly within the casing from said pump; a. packer body means disposed within said casing, b. and upper and lower sealing means disposed between said packer body means and the said casing and forming a pressurizable chamber connected to said drop pipe, c. said chamber having an outlet for discharging water for storage or use, d. said lower sealing means comprising:
 1. a flexible ring extending outwardly from said packer body means and having an upwardly extending outer wall normally disposed in partial engagement with the said casing, and having a base extending between said outer wall and said packer body means with said base normally having a generally horizontal bottom surface,
 1. annular platform means extending outwardly from said tubular wall and providing an upper surface which slants downwardly toward said casing,
 1. a flexible ring extending outwardly from said inner body and having an upwardly extending outer wall normally disposed in partial engagement with the said tubular member, and having a base extending between said tubular member and inner body with said base having a generally horizontal bottom surface,
 2. and annular platform means extending outwardly from said inner body below said flexible ring with said platform means having an upper surface which slants downwardly toward said tubular member to normally form with said bottom surface of said ring a divergent space, b. and means to pressurize said chamber so that said ring base is forced downwardly into substantially flush engagement with said platform means and so that the outer wall of said ring is distorted substantially throughout its depth into substantially flush sealing engagement with said tubular member.
 2. and an annular sealing ring of flexible material, said ring being generally cup-shaped in section and comprising: A. an inner wall connected to said tubular wall, B. a base extending outwardly from said inner wall with said base normally having a generally horizontal bottom surface, C. and an outwardly tapered outer wall extending upwardly from said base and normally engaging the said casing adjacent the outer wall tip,
 2. and annular platform means extending outwardly from said packer body means below said flexible ring with said platform means having an upper surface which slants downwardly toward said casing to normally form with the said bottom surface of said ring a divergent space, e. said pump providing means to pressurize said chamber so that said ring base is forced downwardly into substantially flush engagement with said platform means and so that the outer wall of said ring is distorted substantially throughout its depth into substantially flush sealing engagement with the said casing.
 2. In a well system having a vertical well casing, a pump disposed at the lower end of the casing, and a water supply drop pipe extending upwardly within the casing from said pump: a. packer body means disposed within said casing and with said packer body means having a generally tubular wall, b. and upper and lower sealing means disposed between said packer body means and the said casing and forming a pressurizable chamber connected to said drop pipe, c. said chamber having an outlet for discharging water for storage or use, d. said lower sealing means comprising: 